1
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly
lost touch with a childhood friend who spent much of his adult life floating from place to place
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in dock
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers
the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of float
The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025
The wastewater exits the home into the septic tank, where solids settle to the bottom of the tank to form a sludge layer, and the lighter waste forms a scum layer that floats at the top.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
Nhat V. Meyer, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Even the largest of its floats takes just a minute to roll past.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for float
Verb
Mehdi Hasan floats Jon Stewart presidential run, polls show Dem support | RISING
Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to Mehdi Hasan suggesting Jon Stewart should run for president.
—The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025
The wastewater exits the home into the septic tank, where solids settle to the bottom of the tank to form a sludge layer, and the lighter waste forms a scum layer that floats at the top.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
Saturday should be the big day for the Fair, with four-time Grammy winners Los Lobos and Friends performing at 7 p.m. at the Pavilion Stage following a 6 p.m. parade with floats, music and dancers.
—Nhat V. Meyer, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Even the largest of its floats takes just a minute to roll past.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for float
Recent Examples of Synonyms for float
Verb
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median employee tenure in US industries hovers around 3.9 years, while voluntary quits remain persistently high.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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That means the Knicks — already hovering just under the second tax apron — would need to match LeBron’s salary in any trade.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Four other systems roamed the Atlantic basin before Erin – Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter – but none were stronger than a tropical storm.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
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The saiga antelope roams the Eurasian steppe of Central Asia.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Rachel was riding on a jet ski in Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway on Tuesday, piloted by her 16-year-old sister Aviva, when the watercraft jumped the wake of another vessel and crashed into a dock, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told the Miami Herald.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
17 Aug. 2025
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The girls’ vehicle jumped a wake caused by a passing vessel, lost control and hit a concrete dock.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The cruise was intended to sail in November from Miami to Mexico—until artists like Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie, and Liz Vice pulled their performances.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
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Passengers sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas shouldn’t ever find themselves in a state of boredom while traveling aboard the world’s largest cruise ship.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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O'Reilly wandered into an Irish pub called John D. McGurk's to celebrate — and on stage that night was JigJam and its singer, Jamie McKeogh.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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While Snell and catcher Will Smith appealed to the first-base umpire, Laureano wandered away from second base, looking back over his shoulder for the call from first-base umpire Chris Guccione.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The city demolished a restaurant at the end of the wharf and officials planned to complete repairs to the wharf by March 2025.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Dec. 2024
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Today, the International African American Museum sits on the site of the former wharf, reminding visitors of its history.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Even Ravens players like Stanley who already knew how to swim got assistance from Phelps.—
Sophie Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Yonah described how the girls were floating unconscious in the water, their life jackets keeping them afloat, as their father—who does not know how to swim—scraped up his hands, feet and back trying to save them.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The ball drifted toward the warning crack in right-center when Lee slid to try to make the dive.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Float.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/float. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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